# Accident 20210715007009A: Air Tractor Inc AT-502B, Edcouch, TX, July 15, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 15, 2021, 11:10 local time
- Place: Edcouch, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: ZBJG
- Location: 26.2903° N, 97.9494° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2903&lon=-97.9494&mi=10
- Aircraft: N334LA, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N334LA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Air Tractor AT-502B (registry code 0390307, https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34AG (registry code 52251, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-34ag) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-502B
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 24,004 total, 15,100 in this make and model, 350 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN21LA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA322) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210715007009A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

JULY 15, 2021 AT 1110 CDT, AN AIR TRACTOR 502B, WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB WHILE IN GROUND EFFECT. THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO ENCOUNTER THE SUGAR CANE OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND CRASHED INTO THE FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND A MINOR POST CRASH FIRE ENSUED. THE AIRMAN WAS NOT INJURED. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME. DURING FAA ONSITE INVESTIGATION, THE AIRMAN STATED THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL ISSUES WITH THE AIRCRAFT. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOADED AND THE WIND HAD SHIFTED CAUSING THE INABILITY TO CLIMB.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN21LA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA322), Jul 15, 2021: Air Tractor AT502 (N334LA), Edcouch, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate compensation for a gusting wind during takeoff.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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